Application Guide

How to Apply for Policy Manager - J-PAL Global

at Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)

🏢 About Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)

J-PAL (Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab) is a global research center working to reduce poverty by ensuring policy is informed by scientific evidence. What makes J-PAL unique is its rigorous randomized evaluations approach to development economics and its direct translation of research into real-world policy impact across 90+ countries. Someone would want to work here to be at the intersection of cutting-edge economic research and tangible policy change in poverty alleviation.

About This Role

This Policy Manager role involves leading specific sectors/pillars at J-PAL Global, setting strategy with academic chairs, and translating economic research into actionable policy materials for governments and NGOs. It's impactful because you'll directly shape how evidence from randomized evaluations informs poverty reduction policies worldwide, while mentoring junior staff and managing donor relationships that fund this critical work.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing new research findings with academic chairs to identify policy implications, drafting a policy brief for government partners in a low-income country, supervising associate staff on evidence synthesis projects, and preparing for donor meetings to secure funding for sector initiatives. You'd balance strategic planning with hands-on policy translation and team management.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) Is Looking For

  • Holds a Master's in economics/public policy with strong microeconomics and econometrics coursework, plus 6+ years of experience including at least 1 year in a developing country
  • Has experience working directly with policymakers in low-income countries, particularly in public health research contexts
  • Can demonstrate ability to translate complex economic research into accessible policy briefs and presentations for non-academic audiences
  • Possesses leadership experience managing teams/projects and stewarding donor relationships in international development contexts

📝 Tips for Applying to Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)

1

Explicitly quantify your 6+ years of relevant experience and highlight your developing country work—J-PAL values this specific requirement

2

Showcase any experience with randomized controlled trials or evidence synthesis in your resume, as this is core to J-PAL's methodology

3

Demonstrate familiarity with J-PAL's existing sector work (education, health, etc.) by referencing specific initiatives or publications in your materials

4

Highlight any policy translation experience—specifically examples where you turned academic research into policy recommendations

5

If you have public health research experience, emphasize this prominently as it's specifically mentioned as valued in the requirements

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience working in developing countries and with policymakers in low-income contexts', 'Specific examples of translating economic research into policy materials or recommendations', 'Your leadership approach to managing teams and projects in evidence-based policy work', "Why J-PAL's evidence-to-policy translation mission specifically aligns with your career goals"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review J-PAL's sector initiatives (education, health, etc.) to understand which pillars you might lead
  • → Study J-PAL's policy publications and evidence syntheses to understand their communication style
  • → Research J-PAL's regional offices and their work to understand the global-liaison aspect of the role
  • → Look into J-PAL's academic leadership and recent high-impact studies to understand their research priorities

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you translated complex research findings into actionable policy recommendations for government officials
2 How would you approach building relationships with policymakers in a low-income country to promote evidence-based policy?
3 Discuss your experience managing donor relationships and securing funding for policy/research initiatives
4 What strategies would you use to mentor and develop associate-level staff in a research-policy organization?
5 How do you stay current with development economics research, and what's one recent J-PAL study that impressed you?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Failing to demonstrate specific developing country experience—this is a hard requirement
  • Using generic policy experience without showing evidence translation skills
  • Not understanding J-PAL's randomized evaluation methodology and evidence-based approach
  • Focusing only on research without showing policy engagement or leadership experience

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)!

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